Paul and Castor must use their telepathic ability to pull off the most daring heist of their lives. It’s the only way The Bloody Cocks, Seoul’s most fearsome mob, will let them off the hook. But can Paul betray the trust of Father Park to steal from his church? Eisner Award-winning writer DEREK KIRK KIM (THE LAST MERMAID, Same Difference) and rising star artist JACOB PEREZ (Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) invite you to the shadowy back alleys of Seoul, South Korea, for a thrilling, mind-bending crime caper unlike any other!
It’s big trouble for Paul and Castor Wahng when their telepathic poker hustle catches up to them. And as usual, Paul pays the price for Castor’s brash actions. Now Paul must fight for his life through the bustling streets of Seoul! Royals #2 is a solid second issue that really focuses on its main characters and also gets things rolling for the action we know is coming.
Royals is an entertaining series that delivers a concept that you wonder why it hasn’t been done before. After their gambling winnings in the first issue, Paul and Castor are celebrating in their own ways. Writer Derek Kirk Kim keeps things focused giving us a great idea of each brother’s personality as they go back and forth while they celebrate. One is focused on a date with dinner and what seems like a rather normal girl. The other is having a threesome and having to deliver the details to his brother trying to get him to join in on the fun. It’s clear who we should be cheering on and which we should be slapping our heads over their actions.
But, once we have that down, the comic moves into action and getting us to the meat of the story. With their winnings, and clearly up to something way of achieving that, they’ve pissed off the wrong people who want revenge. While getting their money back is the obvious direction for the series, Kim gives us something unexpected and with that also questions how the brothers’ telepathic abilities will help them achieve it. It’s a direction whose details are unexpected.
The art by Jacob Perez is solid. The issue’s style just fits for the mix of action and comedy. Perez also delivers things just up to the line. The issue’s first bit is an interesting contrast between the two brothers and Perez’s art really emphasizes that. We get one having a nice dinner while the other is sending photos from a threesome. It’s a perfect contrast but also teases the more salacious acts instead of going all in and focusing on them. The art really helps nails down what we should think of the two and how they differ. The action is great with some solid comedic moments and a flow that’s fun and exciting visually.
Royals #2 is a fun and exciting second issue that picks up on the setup of the first while taking things an an intriguing direction by the end. During all of that, it also narrows in on its characters so we can better get to know them and figure out what to expect.
Story: Derek Kirk Kim Art: Jacob Perez Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy
Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
It’s big trouble for Paul and Castor Wahng when their telepathic poker hustle catches up to them. And as usual, Paul pays the price for Castor’s brash actions. Now Paul must fight for his life through the bustling streets of Seoul! Eisner Award-winning writer Derek Kirk Kim (The Last Mermaid, Same Difference) and rising star artist Jacob Perez (Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) invite you to the shadowy back alleys of Seoul, South Korea, for a thrilling, mind-bending crime caper unlike any other!
Twin brothers Paul and Castor have crafted the perfect poker hustle using their uncanny telepathic connection. But they might have finally met their match when they risk it all against the leader of the Bloody Cocks, the most ruthless criminal syndicate in Seoul. Eisner Award-winning writer DEREK KIRK KIM (THE LAST MERMAID, Same Difference) and rising star artist JACOB PEREZ (Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) invite you to the shadowy back alleys of Seoul, South Korea, for a thrilling, mind-bending crime caper unlike any other!
Story: Derek Kirk Kim Art: Jacob Perez
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Twin brothers Paul and Castor have crafted the perfect poker hustle using their uncanny telepathic connection. But they might have finally met their match when they risk it all against the leader of the Bloody Cocks, the most ruthless criminal syndicate in Seoul.
Eisner Award-winning writer DEREK KIRK KIM (THE LAST MERMAID, Same Difference) and rising star artist JACOB PEREZ (Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) invite you to the shadowy back alleys of Seoul, South Korea, for a thrilling, mind-bending crime caper unlike any other!
Eisner Award-winning writer Derek Kirk Kim and rising star artist Jacob Perez invite you to the shadowy back alleys of Seoul, South Korea, for a thrilling, mind-bending crime caper unlike any other in, Royals. This six issue miniseries is set to launch in April from Image Comics.
Twin brothers Paul and Castor have crafted the perfect poker hustle using their uncanny telepathic connection. But they might have finally met their match when they risk it all against the leader of the Bloody Cocks, the most ruthless criminal syndicate in Seoul.
Royals #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, April 1:
DRASTIC SITUATIONS CALL FOR DRASTIC DECISIONS!Oni Press and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products are over-the-moon to reveal a first look at Adventure Time #6 by writer Nick Winn and artist Beck Kubrick, with a backup story written and drawn by Derek M Ballard. It will take Jake and Finn on a journey of possession, evil, and more when Adventure Time #6 arrives in stores on October 1st!
It’s “FRIENDS TO THE END” PART 2! Poor Finn! He only wanted to prove he’s not just some kid—but his quest for the Enchiridion has led him directly into the waiting arms of one of the most fearsome villains in all of Ooo: THE LICH! Meanwhile, Jake makes a drastic decision in order to save his best bud—Ice King’s crown grants wishes, right? Let’s hope that’s all it does!
From cartoonist and animator Nick Winn and artist Beck Kubrick—the next in a rotating cast of interior artists—and featuring a brand-new backup story by 2024 LA Times Book Prize Finalist Derek Ballard, the Adventure Time ongoing comic book series continues here!
Adventure Time #6 features exciting covers from the neat Nick Winn, the mind-bending Beck Kubrick, the electric Elizabeth Beals, and the dynamic Derek Kirk Kim!
The 2025 Baltimore Comic-Con returns to the Inner Harbor’s Baltimore Convention Center on October 17-19. The Baltimore Comic-Con has announced the first-time appearance of comics creators Jacen Burrows, Kevin Delgado, Gavin Guidry, Derek Kirk Kim, Alex Maleev, and Patrick Olliffe. Purchase your tickets now to avoid further lines at the show!
Jacen Burrows is a renowned comic book artist whose precision linework and haunting visuals have made him a standout in the world of graphic storytelling. He’s best known for his collaborations with legendary writers Alan Moore (Providence, Neonomicon) and Garth Ennis (Crossed, Babs, The Ribbon Queen), as well as his acclaimed work with Marvel Comics on Moon Knight, Warhammer 40k, and Punisher: Soviet. With a career spanning over two decades, Burrows continues to push the boundaries of horror, suspense, and sci-fi comic storytelling.
Kevin Delgado, appearing courtesy of Comics and Collectibles R Us, is a Buffalo, New York-based cartoonist and cover artist renowned for his versatility and expertise in mixed media and varying techniques. As a highly sought-after cover artist, he has collaborated with top comic book publishers like Image Comics, IDW, Dynamite Entertainment, and more, producing dozens of works for titles such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Godzilla, and Vampirella.
However, his true passion project is Tuff Stuff, a comic series featuring a scruffy crime-fighting cat. This labor of love has led to publishing deals with Cosmic Lion Productions and Source Point Press, and has been successfully funded through five Kickstarter campaigns. As the creator, Kevin is committed to working on Tuff Stuff for as long as possible, pouring his heart and soul into the ongoing saga.
Gavin Guidry is a comic artist from the New Orleans area. He’s best known for his work on JSA, Action Comics, Uncanny X-Men, Birds of Prey, and Superman ‘78: The Metal Curtain as well as for drawing multiple shorts and covers for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, IDW, and several others.
Derek Kirk Kim is an award-winning writer, artist, and director. He is the creator of The Last Mermaid from Image Comics and the Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz Award-winning graphic novel, Same Difference and Other Stories. He garnered his second Eisner Award with The Eternal Smile, a collaboration with MacArthur Fellow Gene Luen Yang. In television, Kim has worked as a director, storyboard artist, and character designer for numerous shows including Disney’s Amphibia, Adventure Time, and Green Eggs and Ham on Netflix. He eats chips with chopsticks. Instagram: @derekkirkkim
Derek will be signing at intervals at the Cards, Comics & Collectibles booth during the weekend. His signing schedule will be posted here when available.
Alex Maleev was born in 1971 in Sofia, Bulgaria. He attended the High School of Arts and the Academy of Fine Arts where he received his bachelor’s degree in printmaking. He arrived in the US in 1994 where he settled in New York City. From 1994 to 1995, he studied for 4 months at the Joe Kubert School. His comics credits include: Arabian Nights, Magic the Gathering, The Crow, Alien vs. Predator, Superman vs. Predator, Sam and Twitch, Hellboy, Weird Tales, Daredevil, Illuminati. Spider-Woman, Halo, Scarlet. Moon Knight, The Dark Tower, and Batman. He has received the Russ Manning Award in 1996 for Most Promising Newcomer and the Eisner Award for Best Ongoing Series in 2003. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Patrick Olliffe is a veteran comic book illustrator with over 38 years of experience, working for some of the largest publishers in the industry, including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Dark Horse, and Disney Publishing. His long list of credits include Untold Tales of Spider-Man, Spider-Girl, Thor, Marvel Team-Up, Secret Wars Battleworld, Star Wars, Captain Marvel, Barb Wire, DC’s 52 series, Booster Gold, The Atom, Catwoman, Scooby Apocalypse, and Hawkman, plus Captain America, The Fantastic Four, The Avengers, and the X-Men for Disney’s Marvel Press. He, along with writer Chuck Austen, has created the sci-fi western series Edgeworld and the supernatural series The Tormented for Comixology Originals as well as the upcoming sci-fi book Defiant for DSTLRY.
This year’s confirmed guests for the show include: Arthur Adams (Longshot), Kaare Andrews (Spider-Man: REIGN 2), Eddy Barrows (Superman), Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl), Marty Baumann ((Pixar artist), John Beatty (Marvel Super Heroes: Secret Wars), Josh Blaylock (Mercy Sparx, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Russ Braun (The Boys), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Jacen Burrows (Crossed), Jim Calafiore (NED, Lord of the Pit), Richard Case (Doom Patrol), Keith Champagne (Stranger Things), Howard Chaykin (Time Squared), Jo Chen (Runaways), Jim Cheung (Young Avengers), Mark Chiarello (Wednesday Comics), Frank Cho (Harley Quinn), Amy Chu (Emma Frost: The White Queen), Chris Claremont (X-Men), Matthew Clark (Adventures of Superman, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Becky Cloonan (Somna), Steve Conley (The Middle Age), Michael W. Conrad (Manowar: Invictus), Dani (Sensational Wonder Woman), Alan Davis (Excalibur), Deans Family Productions (Crass Fed), Jeff Dekal (Something is Killing the Children), Kevin Delgado (Tuff Stuff, courtesy of Comics and Collectibles R Us), Vito Delsante (Stray), Todd Dezago (The Perhapanauts), Garth Ennis (The Boys, Saturday and Sunday only), David Finch (Moon Knight), Tony Fleecs (Stray Dogs), Trish Forstner (Feral), Franco (Deadman Tells the Spooky Tales), Barbara Friedlander (Swing with Scooter), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (DC Nation), Chris Giarrusso (Mini Marvels), Dan Goldman (Unfinished Business), Randy Green (Witchblade). Mike Grell (Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters), Torunn Grønbekk (Catwoman), Gavin Guidry (Action Comics), Brian Haberlin (Spawn, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Bob Hall (West Coast Avengers), Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle), Scott Hanna (Amazing Spider-Man), Dean Haspiel (The Red Hook), Mike Hawthorne (Deadpool), Marc Hempel (Sandman), Jamal Igle (Superman, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Chris Kemple (Artist Alley Comics), Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Incredible Hulk), J.G. Jones (Wanted), Derek Kirk Kim (The Last Mermaid), Dan Krall (House of Night), Adam Kubert (Wolverine), Jae Lee (Inhumans), Tula Lotay (Barnstormers), Nate Lovett (Dungeons & Dragons), Kevin Maguire (Justice League), Alex Maleev (Star Wars: Boba Fett – Black White and Red), Laura Martin (Nubia: Queen of the Amazons), Shawn Martinbrough (Red Hood: The Hill), Ron Marz (Green Lantern), Jose Marzan Jr. (Y: The Last Man), Charlie McElvy (Spider-Squirrel), Mike McKone (Red Goblin), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Adriana Melo (Action Comics), Josh Middleton (Aquaman), Al Milgrom (Spectacular Spider-Man), Mark Morales (Thor), Trevor Mueller (Albert the Alien), Sarah Myers (TMNT Saturday Morning Adventures), Tom Nguyen (The Switch), Mike Norton (Battlepug, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Kevin Nowlan (Batman: Sword of Azrael), Patrick Olliffe (Untold Tales of Spider-Man), Dan Parent (Sabrina the Teenage Witch), John J. Pearson (In Bloom), Andrew Pepoy (Simone & Ajax), Barbara Perez Marquez (The Cardboard Kingdom), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Khoi Pham (Star Wars: Darth Vader), Paul Pope (THB), Tom Raney (Green Lantern), Amy Reeder (Power Girl), Esad Ribic (Conan the Barbarian), Afua Richardson (Kahhori: Reshaper of Worlds), James Robinson (Starman), Don Rosa (Uncle $crooge), Craig Rousseau (Herculoids), Stephane Roux (Void Rivals), Jim Rugg (Street Angel), Andy Runton (Owly), Stuart Sayger (Conan the Barbarian), Joseph Schmalke (Seven Years in Darkness, courtesy of Groundbreaking Comics), Bart Sears (Deathstroke), Declan Shalvey (Old Dog), Louise Simonson (The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special), Walter Simonson (Thor), Don Simpson (Megaton Man), Jeff Smith (Bone), John K. Snyder III (Suicide Squad), Mark Sparacio (Chelsea Dagger and the Women of Excalibur), Joe Staton (Dick Tracy), Paul D. Storrie (Storm Kids: Stanley’s Ghost), Karl Story (The Mandalorian), Zoe Thorogood (It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Universe), Peter Tomasi (The Rocketfellers), Billy Tucci (Shi), Brian K. Vaughan (Spectators, Friday and Saturday only), Gus Vazquez (Sunfire and Big Hero Six), Charles Vess (Stardust), Mark Waid (Justice League Unlimited), Dan Watters (Nightwing), Mark Wheatley (Breathtaker), Matt Wieringo (Stargate Atlantis: Gateways), Keith Williams (Web of Spider-Man), Maria Wolf (Phoenix), Rich Woodall (Electric Black), John Workman (Wild Things), Kelly Yates (Doctor Who), and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).
Multiple Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz Award winning writer/artist Derek Kirk Kim’s The Last Mermaidkicked off with a splash and has instantly sold out completely at the distributor level. Image Comics will rush the debut issue back to print in order to keep up with the wave of reorder activity from retailers.
The Last Mermaid marks the highly anticipated return of Kim to the comics scene after a decade. The epic science fiction series introduces readers to a long mermaid, surviving in a mecha as she journeys across a dystopian, drought laden futurescape. Fans formed an immediate attachment to the sidekick character, a mischievous Axolotl.
A lone mermaid roams an endless wasteland on a quest beyond reason. To press ever onward, she must survive the interminable stretches between tiny pockets of water, the roaming bands of cybernetic cannibals, and the fearsome mutant beasts. What propels her forward to take such a risk?
The Last Mermaid #1, second printing (Lunar Code 0224IM851) and The Last Mermaid #2 (Lunar Code 0224IM289) will both be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, April 3.
A lone mermaid roams an endless wasteland on a quest beyond reason. To press ever onward, she must survive the interminable stretches between tiny pockets of water, the roaming bands of cybernetic cannibals, and the fearsome mutant beasts. What propels her forward to take such a risk?
The Last Mermaid #1 by Derek Kirk Kim is in stores March 6, and you can pre-order at your Local Comic Shop!
